Depending on the type of arthritis, a person may be given a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) -- a strong medicine that seeks to slow or prevent joint damage by interfering with or suppressing the immune system.

Although DMARDs are usually quite effective, some of them take up to several months to show results.

You may need to take the drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) three or four months before you notice its benefits. Other DMARDs, such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) or leflunomide (Arava), work more quickly, but results can still take time.

For that reason, you may need to take another drug, such as an NSAID or perhaps a corticosteroid, to help control inflammation while the DMARD is starting to work.

Only one DMARD, Arava, was actually developed for rheumatoid arthritis. Others were approved after being approved to treat other conditions.

The dose you need will be determined by your doctor based on the disease, its severity, and other factors including your weight.

Because DMARDs suppress the immune system, your should speak to your doctor before getting any vaccinations.

All information provided in this site is offered for educational purposes only, and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.